| Speedball (video game) | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Bitmap Brothers, Kylotonn, Vivid Games |
| Publisher(s) | Image Works, Arena Entertainment, Empire Interactive Entertainment, Akella, Tower Studios |
| Platform(s) | Atari ST, Amiga, Amiga CD32, Commodore 64, PC, NES, Sega Master System, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Mega Drive, Windows Mobile, PlayStation, Xbox 360, iPhone, Symbian |
| Release date(s) | 1988 (Speedball) 1990 (Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe) 2000 (Speedball 2100) 2007 (Speedball 2: Tournament) 2011 (Speedball 2: Evolution) |
| Genre(s) | Sport, Action |
| Mode(s) | One Player, Two Player |
Speedball is a video game series based on a violent futuristic cyberpunk sport that draws on elements of handball and ice hockey, and rewards violent play as well as goals. Three games were developed by the Bitmap Brothers, and a fourth by Kylotonn. The games were released on a variety of different formats from 1988 to 2011.
Contents |
The game is played by two teams on an enclosed court with a goal at each end, similar to that of ice hockey or five-a-side football. The court contains elements that affect gameplay, such as score multipliers and power ups. Points are scored by successfully getting the ball into the goal, and also by injuring opposition players. The team that has amassed the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
A player has control of only one outfield player on a team at any one time. The game may be played by one or two players; two player games are played competitively.
Speedball was released in November 1988 for the Atari ST and ported to the Amiga, PC (DOS), Commodore 64 and the Sega Master System; it was also for the NES as Klashball. It was re-released in 2004 as one of the 30 games on the C64 Direct-to-TV.[1]
Reception
The game received scores of 862 (DOS) and 834 (Atari ST) out of 1000 from ACE, 79% from Mean Machines and 57% from Power Play.[1] The game won the 1989 Golden Joystick Game Of The Year award.[2] Computer Gaming World gave the game a positive review, praising its graphics and long-lasting gameplay.[3]
According to the game story, the first Speedball league (founded in the year 2095) fails due to violence and corruption. As the organisation gives place to anarchy the game is forced underground, but five years later, in an attempt to regain public interest, Speedball 2 is born. The game starts in 2105 with the emergence of a new team, Brutal Deluxe.
The game was released for several platforms, including the Atari ST, Amiga, Amiga CD32, PC, Commodore 64, NES, Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.[4] The first version was released in 1990 for the Atari ST, the most recent version version for the GBA in 2002.
Speedball 2 makes several changes over the original Speedball. Teams have nine players on court rather than five, and targets on the floor and walls can be hit to receive bonus points. The amount of points that a team receives for scoring a goal starts at 10 but can be increased to 15 or 20 via the use of score multipliers located on the walls of the pitch. The same amount of points for scoring a goal is given for injuring a player from the opposing team. When a player is injured, he is replaced by one of three substitutes. If all three substitutes are injured, the injured player will be forced to return to the game and play on in spite of his injuries. There are five game modes: knockout, cup, league, practise and multiplayer. Each game lasts for 180 seconds.
Reception
Speedball 2 is one of Bitmap Brothers' most successful titles. Zzap, CU Amiga and Computer and Video Games scored the game highly.[5][6][7]
The music, written by Simon Rogers and remixed and coded by Richard Joseph, won the 1991 Golden Joystick Award for Best Soundtrack.[4]
Empire Interactive officially announced an Xbox Live Arcade version for the Xbox 360, to be priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10 USD).[8] The game was released on October 17, 2007, and features a 3D graphics mode in addition to the "classic" visuals, as well as additional teams and online play.[9] Based on statements by the Bitmap Brothers, the XBLA version of the game takes place in the 24th century. This version of the game has now been delisted from the Xbox Live Arcade, however, people who have already downloaded it are still able to play it.
Speedball 2100, released only for the PlayStation, is a 3D version of Speedball 2 with more options such as choosing and renaming any team, instead of having to play with Brutal Deluxe. Released in September 2000, the game failed to convince gamers and press, as it lacked the speed and gameplay of the previous 2D games.
In November 2007, Frogster Interactive Pictures released a sequel to Speedball, developed by Kylotonn.[10]
In February 2011, Tower Studios released a updated version of Speedball 2 for the iPhone and iPod Touch, developed by Vivid Games complete with multiplayer support and achievements via Game Center.[11] This game was released for the Playstation 3 too.